Recoil-brake for guns



E. SCHNEIDER. Recon BRAKE FoR GUNS.`

APPLICATION FILED .IUNE 16,*1919.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

I3 SHEETS-SHEET E. SCHNEIDER.' A

Hicom BRAKE PoR GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED )UNE I6 i919-,

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RECOIL BRAKE 'FOR GUNS. ARPL|cAT|oN-F|LED JUNE 16. 19.19.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

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RECOI'L BRAKE FOR GUNS.

' APPLICATION F1LED1uNE16, 1919.

1,373,102. Patented Mar. 29,1921.

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REco'n. BRAKE FoR GUNS.

AIPLNFATION FjLED JUNE I5, 1919.

1,373,192, 4 Patented Mar. 29, 19251.

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RECOIL BRAKE FOR GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE16. 1919.

Egli? Pantea'mr. 29, 1921.

E. SCHNEIDER.

REcolL BRAKE Foa GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 1919.

1,373,102. Patented Mar.29,1921.

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RECOIL BRAKE FOR GUNS.

APPLlcAlonv mi :une 16. 1919.

1 ,373,102. Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEET B- IDDHI A KH'Eh E. SCHNEIDER.

RECOIL BRAKE FOR GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED IuIIE'Ie. 1919.

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RECOIL BRAKE FOR GUNS. APPLICATION FILED IuIIE I6.. 1919.

1,373,102. Patented Mar.29,19.21.

13 SHEETS-SHEET l0.

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RECOIL BRAKE FQR GUNS. APPLlcATloN HLED'JUNE 16. 1919.

Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

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E. SCHNEIDER.

RI-CQIL BRAKE FOR GUNS.. APPLICATION FILE-DIUNE16| |919.

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RECOIL BRAKE FOR GUNS.

APPLICATION r|LED1uNE16,1919.

1,3?3, 102. Patented Mar. 29, 1921.

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Learner. oe-sica.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER, 0E PARIS, FRANCE, AsSIGNoR To -SCHNEIDER a CIE., or vPARIS,

FRANCE, A LIMITED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 0E FRANCE. f

RECoIIgBRAxE ECR GUNS.

Patented 111111.29, 1921.

Application n1ed..Ti1ne 16, 1913. Serial No. 304,655. j

To all whom t may concern.' C

Be it known that I, EUGENE SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the Republic 0f France; residing at l2 Rue dAnjou, Paris, France, have invented new and useful Improvements.k in Recoil-Brakes for Guns, which invention is fully set forth in the following Specication.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved recoil brake for guns, combined with a inoderator'for running out the gun into firing position. f

The brake is of the known type comprising a piston with a hollow piston rodfixed to the stationary part of the gun (for instance the gun cradle), and a brake cylinder fixed to the recoiling part (for instance the gun slide), provided at its end with al counter-rod movable in the cavity of the piston rod, and carrying the moderator valve.

The improved brake is characterized by the addition of a loaded valve which under a given pressure uncovers orifices of an auxil-V iary passage or passages through the piston for the ow of the liquid from'one side to the other of the piston;the wire-drawing of the liquid during the said flow, producing aA braking action to which is added or not. added according to the circumstances' of the case, the usual braking by wire-drawing ofY the liquid between the shaped counter-rod andthe diaphragm formed on the piston, or through grooves inl the counter-rod or in the cylinder, or again lbetween grooves in the piston and shaped fillets on the cylinder.

The additional valve may be rendered operative or inoperative to a varying extent for the purpose of varying the length of the recoil. This total or partial rendering of the valve operative vor inoperative may be effected by means ofan obtuiating device which covers or uncovers wholly or partly, auxiliary passages for admitting the liquid to the said valve. Y y

The same result may be effected" by aVv mechanism which. leaves the vvalve free'to bear upon its seat, or whichkeepsitrlfartlier or less away from .the latter. i Y

It may also be effected by means of an obturating device whichcovers Vor uncovers at will the normal passages for the flow oftheA Vliquid.y through the `piston, or through, the

groovesin'the counter-rod or the grooves in the cylinder.

Various constructionaljforins embodying' the use of these variousk means for rendering the additional valve operative orl inoperative, are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 5 inclusive illustrate a iirst constructional form. t Complementary Figs. 1, 1a are views showing an axial section ofthe brake cylinder showing Vthe parts at rest, adjusted for the `purpose of obtainingr the/greatest leiigj'fli-V- of recoil.

' Fig. 2 is a partial Similar viewishowing the parts in anintermediate the recoil. f

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line III- III of Fig. 1. l i I Y Fig. 4 isa cross section on the line I'V-.- IV of Fig. f Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal section of the brake'showing the partsv arranged for producing the minimum recoil. f I

Figs. 6 to 7 yshow a Ysecond constructional form of the device.

' Complementary Figs. 6, (Saarev a partial longitudinal section on the line-VI-VI'of Fig 7 Fig'. 7 is a cross-section on theline Athe rear portion of-'the brake. In'this view the parts are shown asf-set forrminimum recoil; f i 5 i Figi AY9 -is a cross-section on the Vline IX X of Fig.' 8;

position during.,

.Figi 10 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 8 with the partsset for maximum recoil;

tional form of--the device;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinalsection ofi-the rear Figs. V11 to i 13 'illustrate' fourth construe-Q exactly the same asfin the first example.

In this figure, the parts are set for minimumy recoil;

Fig. 12 is minimum recoil; ,7.

Fig. 13 is a similar view showing the'parts at rest and set for maximumrecoil Y tional form of the device;

v a similar view showing the parts in the relative'positions they assume during Fig. 1111 is a longitudinalsection of the .105 Figs. 14 to 16 illustrate a fifth construcrear portion oi a brake embodying this form. In this view the parts are shown in the rest position', set for maximum recoil;

Fig. 15 is a similar viewshowing the parts set for minimum recoil;

Fig. 16 is a similar view showing the p0- sitions of the'vparts at the commencement of the minimum recoil; Y

Fig. 17 is a partial longitudinalV sectional View of a sixth constructional Vform of the device and a modification of the previous form. In thisview the parts'areshown in the rest position, set'for maximum recoil;

Fig. 18 ,is V'a cross-section on the line XVIII-XVIII of Fig. 17

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 17, showing the parts at the commencement of the minimum recoil;

Fig. 20 is a partial longitudinal section of a` seventh constructional form, and a second modification of the device shownV in Figs. 14416. The parts are shown in rest position, set for maximum recoil; v j Fig. 21 is a similarA view, showingv the parts at the commencement of the minimum recoil;

Figs. 22 to 25 show a seventh constructional form of the device;

Fig. 22 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the device,'on the' lines XXII-fv XXII of Fig. 23, showing the parts in rest position, set for maximumV recoil;

Fig. 23 is a. cross-section on the line XXIII-XXIII of Fig. 22; Y I

Fig. 24k is al partial longitudinal sectional view on the lines XXIV-XXIV of Fig. 25,

the parts being shown at the commencementV of minimum recoil for the minimum recoil andrat the beginning i i Fi 25 is a cross-section on the lines' XXX -XXV of Fig. 24; fr

Figs. 26 t0 29 showvan eighth constructional Jform of the device and a modification of the preceding example;

Fig. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view of the rear portionof the brake on the lines XXVI- XXVI of Fig. 27,V showing the parts in rest position, set for maximum recoil;

Fig. 27 is a cross section on the line. XXVII-XXVII Vof Fig. 26;

Figs. 28 and 29 are sectional views correi sponding, respectively,V to thoseY shown in Figs. 26 and 27, the parts being shown set of such recoil; Y Y Y Figs. 30Vto 32 illustrate'a ninth construcf tional form of the device; p I

Complementary Figs. 30, 30a Yare a longitudinal section,` showing. the parts in rest position, set for minimum recoil g j Fig. 31 is cross-sectionV on the line XXXIfIXI of Fig. 30a, showing the parts in rest position and setfor maximum recoil; Y

Fig 32 is a similar view, showing the vparts set for minlmum recoil;

Vof the example shown in Figs. 17 to 19;V

Complementary Figs. 34, 34a are a longitudinal section of the device, showing the parts set for minimum recoil and in the position they occupy at the .commencement of such recoil;

Complementary Figs. 35, 35L are a similar view, showingY the parts in the positions they assume at the very beginning ofA the running-out movement of the gun.

In the constructional forms shown in Figs. lvto 5, the brake. comprises in the known manner a cylinder A attached to the recoil- Ving part, and, having fixed lto its end a shaped counter-rodB provided at its free end with the usual valve C of the moderator for runing out the @un into firing position.

The combination Cris engaged in the cavity of the brake piston rod D. E is the piston. v Y

The piston and piston rod D'f-E are carried by a fixed part of the gun, for instance the gun cradle F.

The piston rod comprises a stationary part D in which is-en'gaged a liner D1. The cavity of this liner D?. constitutesA the champber in which the counter-rod B is engaged.

The usual diaphragm G is in this case Y formed on an extension ofthe liner D1; A

shoulder g *onv this liner serves as an abutment for a pile of Belleville washers 71, which have normally a'tendenc'y to keep the addr tional valve'H bearing against its seat.

This valve consists of' a ring slipped von iliary passages el for admitting the liquid to the additional loa-ded` valve.'

Theliner D1 is pierced with passages d1' that establishin a'continuous manner a communication between the chamberl a of the brake cylinder and the rear portion of the cavity of the liner D1, by way of the passages e.

They Spider ris formed with orifices 7:.

"These orifices may be broughtY at will into Y. the positionshownin full lines inV Fig.r3`and Y visible in Fig. 1a vwhereY they uncover completely the passages e1V Vfor admitting the liquid to the valveV VH, or they may Vbe brought into the position indicated by dot and dash lines 1 (Fig. 3) wherethey are situated oppositea lsolid part of the piston, the admission ofthe liquid to the valve being then completely shut ofi f On moving the spider I into an intermediate position, the' passages e1 will, bezpartially uncovered. Y

The movement of the spider I is produced by rotating the liner D1 which'is provided for this purpose with a journal J carried in a bearing formed on the 'gun cradle F On this journal is keyed an actuating member such as a toothed sector j which is adapted to be actuated by the elevating movements of the gun barrel. f

Figs. l, la, 3 and 4 show the parts in the position iii which the brake is set for the maximum recoil, the orices z' of the spider uncovering completely the passages e1 for admitting the liquid to the lvalve'H.vr

The force of the spring h loading lthe valve H is so adjusted that the said valve will open as soon as thel pressure in thel chamber a increases, that is to say, at the very beginning of the recoil. The partsv are then in the position shown in Fig. 2.

The flow of the liquid from one side to theV other of the piston takesV place through the passagesA e and d1, and it is furtherfacilitatzd by the iow`through the passages e1 an z.

If, by rotating the liner D1, the orifices i of the spider` are brought into the position indicated in dot and dash lines 1 Fig. 3, the pressure liquid can no longer reach the valve H, and the flow .takes place only through the passages e and d1, Fig. 5, and in these circumstances the recoil is'reduce'd to its minimum.

If the spider I be moved into an intermediate position wherein the orifices c' partlyA uncover the passages e1, the valve H will lift andthe iow of the liquid will take place through the more or less throttled section of the orifices e1 uncovered by the spider' I. The result on'the whole will be an inter;V mediate braking between the minimum brakinof and the maximum braking.4 j.

he Figs. l, la, 2, 4 and 5 show aV safety device intended toL accelerate the return to battery, which permitsV the passageY of the liquid from the chamber a1 to the chamber a.

For this purpose there is arranged in the valve H a non-return valve K which on being opened by the pressure of theJ liquidin the chamber a1, will allow the liquidto flow through an orificey i2 of the spider I, said oriv ice being always situated opposite one of the passages e1 in the piston E, F ig. 4'.

In the constructional form shown in Figs; 1 6 to'i7, the vadditional loaded valve H-, is constructed as in the preceding example; itk bears on one side upon the Belleville'washers and on the other side upon the spider I formed on the liner D1.

' e? and the illetsA @The guresshow the ,all

The' characteristic "-eature. of this modi# cation'consists in this that the braking for the .minimum lrecoil Vitakes place solely be-y tween. rooves eziormed'inthepiston and.. iillets.:` 1 projecting from the wall'of the 7o brake cylinder A', which have a section -increasing fromlthe rear toward the front ,fthe admissionbof-the liquid toY the valve being then closed by a suitable displacement of the orii'ces.. 7,. i f

f When these l orifices uncover partly or wholly the passages @1,the flow of theliquid takes place at once through the-moreffor less throttled oricesal and between the groovesy parts set for the maximum recoil. j A Inv this modification the rod B is wholly cylindrical. In orderthat the rear chamber of .the liner D1, that lis to say, the spacecomprised between the end of. this liner and the. moderatorvalves C, shall be'able from the y very beginning'of the recoil ,toV receive thev quantity of liquid'necessaryto ll it, there isprovidedfin the liner yan orifice `1 which comes opposite a corresponding yorifice. 2 formed in the piston rod D'when the parts are Set forthe small recoil. lIn the constructional forms hereinbefore describedY the additional valve is rendered operative or inoperative by means of an obturating device that covers or uncoverspartially or vwholly passages admitting the liquid to the valve. v

In the two examples'illustrated by Figs. -8 to 13 and whichwill now be described, the 100 additional loadedgvalve .may be rendered operative orinoperative `by means cfa de-` vice that leaves it freeto bear-upon its seat, or that keepsV itxmore or less away romfthe,v latter. l l -f j `In the 'example shown in-"Figs 8 to "l0 two additional valves H are guided a ring L which is `capable of moving longitudinally in the piston E. The ring L is for this pur pose-formed with'a rib L1 movable in a cor- 110 responding groove E1in the piston. A seat is provided for each of the valves H'- in the piston E opposite an oriice e'1'for admitting liquid coming from the cylinder chamber a.

The valves HV are capable cfa limited 115 movement in thek guide ring fNormally, the spring it whose tension constitutes the load Yof vthe valve', presses't'he latter upon its A, seat." i

thread G1 formed 'on the free end of the 'linerD 'It will be perceived kthat on ro-V tating the said liner in theV desired direction, the ring L will be caused t o make a lon- .gitudinal .movement in the' piston which 125emovei'nent will-have .the .result ofrmoving the valves more orfless away from their seats. Y Y Y vWhen the parts are arranged as shown V1n Fig. 8, the rHOVV Of the Iecoilcan take place directly only through thef orifices el andthevalve H. In otherwords,

the liquid'. in order, to pass from one side of the piston to the other, lifts the valves H,

is wire-drawn between the saidvalves and theirv seats, and flows without resistance through the orifices all of the liner D1. This regulation corresponds to the minimum recoil. l

If, by reason of a change Vof elevation of.r`

the gun barrel, the liner D1 in rotating, moves the ring L tothe rear,.thelatt'erwi ll gradually move the valve H away from their seats.

tional valve will .become less. at vthe com.-

mencement of the recoil andwill begntoV makefitself felt only ata moment when the shaped counter-rod B is presentil'agy a-greater.` f section opposite the diaphragm G. rIn other.,A words, the braking Ais then due wholly to the wiredrawing of the liquid throughrthe additional valvesand to the vwire-drawing of the liquid between'the diaphragm'Gr and the.

counter-rod B. y f If the angular displacement given to the liner D1 has remained such'thaty the ring VL has moved the valves H suiiciently'from Vtheirfseats (Fig. 10),fthe liquid will, at the very beginning, be able to4 i'low.V freely through the orifices e1. TheV liquid will hows ever encounter a resistanceto its flow be;A

tween the diaphragm G and the counter-rod B immediately the latter shall have presented a sufficiently large section opposite.

to the said diaphragm. The parts have thus been set for the maximum recoil.`

.As in the exampleshown in Figs. 6 and?,

there is provided in theliner. Dlpanorice t l which comes opposite va corresponding orifice 2 formed' inithe piston rod D when the parts are set orthe small recoil (Fig. 8)..

A valve K provided in the pistonE has in this example exactlythe same-function as the valves referred to byV the same refer- Y ence letter in the preceding examples. But in this case, the valve K is necessary because,'when theparts are set forminimum.

recoil` the flow of the liquid from the chamber a to the chamber a cannot take place,

when the gun is runout, through the orificesv means of groovesrand ribs along the piston rod D. The grooves D2 are formed in the rod D` and the ribsl-ll are 'formed in thevv The ring L that serves as a nut,.is screwed?V The resultis thatk the resistance ofered to the flow of theliquid by the addi-f` on. the Vend Gf of the .liner DL 'which isprovidedfor this purpose with a screw-thread G1. A spring '71. bears on4 one hand against a shoulder on the sleeve H, anden` the other handV against the front endv of the nut L;

. The nutL is urther guidedby means of a rib L1 ini a groove H2 inthering of the valve sleeve H. 1 i Y Y Y i yA seat for-the sleeve H. is constituted by the ring M which a spring m (bearing against a collarD3 ofv the liner D1) has a constant tendency to press against a shoulder D4 of the said liner.

When they parts are iset as shownY in Fig.

11, the flow of the liquid during the recoil can take place only afterl the lifting ofthe valve H, which valveeonstitutes a movable part of the piston. VThe liquidcani-pass from one* side of `the ,Y piston to the other through the'orifices d1 only aftery having been wire-drawn'. between the sleeveH and Vthe .ringM, the sleeve H having been pressed back by the'luid-pressurelin the chamber aagrainst the action ofthe spring h as shown I in Fig.l2. f I. .y

The movement of the sleeve 'H onthe ring L by the pressure-of the l'ioluid'V coming from vthe chamber a, has the result of compressing the spring 7L. At the endf'of Ythe recoil the valve H is returnedon to itsseat by the expansion of the said spring.

On the gun being'run out into firing position the liquid comingfrom. the rearchamberce1 of the cylinder A, will have filled-the chamber a by iiowing through 'the oriiices all and-between the sleeve H and the ring M 1 which latter is pushed toward the collar D3.

If for the purpose of increasingthe length of the recoil, the liner D1 be rotated, the

nutL will be Vmoved longitudinally and Vin.

this movement will carry with it the valve H, thereby moving the lattermore or less away from itsv seat M.

Y When the parts are setor the maximum recoil, the distance between the valve H and its seat M issuch that in' the recoil the braking can be el'ectedonly' bythe wirellO drawing of the liquid between the diaphragm G and the shaped counter-rod B.

In the following examples the rendering of the additional loaded valve partially' or totally inoperative Vis effected by means of an obturated device that uncovers partly or wholly the normal passages for the Vflow of the liquid. i 4

Referringto Figs. 14 to 16, the additional valveV consists ofja sleeve H movable with slightV friction in contact with the walls of the brake cylinder A. The spring 7L that constitutes the load of this valve, bears at one end against a collar D6 formed on the vrearend' ofthe'liner D1. and at its other -eend 'against a shoulder of the valve sleeve.

The seat of the valve'is constituted a flange-like extension Dif-'of .the piston rod D.

In this flange-like extension there-is formed a chamber wherein the valveK is mounted.

The normal passages e for the flow of the liquid may be'partly or wholly covered by a liner D1 provided-with corresponding. orices d1. S Y

When, by reason or` the slightinclination given to the gun barrel, the liner D1 occupiesv the position shown in Fig. 14 wherein the orifices (Z1 uncover completely thevorices e, the liquid is. able to' pass from thef'ffront `facev to the rear lface of the piston, finding a large flow-section in the passages` e-d1, and the recoil takes place withoutthe valve H moving away r'omitsseat.

1f the orifices e are closedI more `or less completely byV a lmovement of the .liner D1, the slackening of the flow through the passages e-al will-*allow .the pressure inthe chamber a to lrise sufiiciently to 1 cause the valve Hto lift. Whenwthe orifices e are completely closed, the ow of the kliquid takes place only between the valve and through the orificesd?. i f' the piston E.

its seat D5 (F igsfl and 16) ;"th'e yliquid which is wire-drawn between the:- valve H and its .seat flows: toward the chamber 'al In the modification shown' in Figs.r17 to 19 the additional. valve consists :of a ring H for which a seat.ispro'vided in a recess in When the normal passages e' for the flow ofi the liquid through-v the piston rod are wholly uncovered, the-braking' action will takey place solelyby/the wirefdrawing of the'liquid between the diaphragm G and the When, on the contrary, the passages e are .completely closed owing to as ,uitable rotation of the liner D1, the brakingaction will take place solely-by thefwire-dra'wing of the 'liquid between the lvalvel.Hand itsjseat YIn the' example-"sho wn in Figs. 20 to 21,v the additional loaded 'valve consists of a ring H' movable in; a recess in 'the piston E. The spring h bearsatone end against the bottom Vof thisv recess, and atflits other; end Vagainst a shoulder on the ringv H. The seat for the valve is formed 'by'.a iangelike extension D5 ofthe pistonas inthe example shown in'Fig's. 14 to 16. "The operationfis exactly the 'same as in thel preceding example. p l- The obturating device'V that renders the additionalwalve operative orf-inoperative1,

instead of shutting off "the passages lforthe flow of the liquid throughfv the pistonf rod,

may shut offtheiflow`through'grooves of4 counter-rod. 'This `modification trated in Figs. 22 to 2 5.

yThe additional valve isv c onstruetedexactly the Samejmanne'r as in the example shown in'Figs. 17 to 19.

is illus- In the'VA presentf'case the counter-rodvB'is 'V and its seat.

in this modification' cylindrical but is'cut with grooves b whose depth diminish from theA rear towardfthe front. V Y

i Whenfthe parts yare s et as shown-in Figs. i I

v22 and 23,' the 'liner-D1 uncovers completely tween the orifices @"andthe'grooves, thev flow Vcan take 'placeonly through the pas sages e1 ofthe vpiston between. the valve H Figs. 26 `to 2Q illustrate a modification of th'e preceding example.

'1n this modification'`tl1e'v throttling7 diaphragm G is formed in thepiston E,"and the passages e for the admission of the liquidto the shaped grooves Vbof the coun'' ter-rod B, are constituted `by branches of the'passages e1 that serve to admit the liquid tothe valveA H. *f l The interruption` of `v'the communication betweenthe grooves b andthe passages e is effected by n piston'D-E. l l

I' the constructional forint shown 'in Figs. 30-'32 the piston' is .a movablearou-nd itslongitudinal axi'sff'or the purpos'eof varying; -the length of Vthe lrecoil; II tf is guided in a slide valve sleeve N whoselports n, extend almost' 'the 'entire length ofthe cylinder A., Grooves A2" decreasing in depth 'fr sleeve-N, thec'ommunica'tion yof the grooves -Ajvith thech'amber 'a of the brake cylinder can he wholly or partly established orshut angular movement of-the rojo trated 'in FigsL 20 and 21.

vWhen the grooves'-A2-. are completely; un- .1

covered (Figs. 30 and 3 1 ,the braking faction is effected lsolelyfby the throttlin'g of the flow'of the liquid through the'fgrooves A2 andaro'und'the: outside of the piston?V VVhen'the grooves A2 are completely cov'i eredi (Fig. 32X, "the braking act-'ion isv leiE- fected solely Vby fthe wire-drawing` of( the liquid betweenV the T lifted valve VHV andv fits seatD5 All the hereinbefore described have as their common essential' characteristic feature, thev combination' of the'fordinary braking`r` means with an additionalvloadedh valve which can belrenlered partially for whollygoperatve either-1105 the .nter"".entim'v Compared with the devices hitherto liquid. areV wholly closed, kbecause the pres- -sure can never exceed .the pressure thatY correspondsV to the lifting Aof the additional'` valve." ;In other words, for obtaining the lminimum recoil, Yas well as for themrecoils of intermediate length Vbetween the Aminimum-recoil andthe ma'xi'mu'mrecoil, all

dangerous excess `of pressurey is` entirely Vobviated.

VIn allY the constructional forms `herein-y before *describedfthe flow? of` the 'liquid from'the rea'r'chambervalof the'bralrelcylinf der towardthe chamber@ for running the gun out' into firingposition, is, ashas'been' seen, rendered possibleibyathe provision of a non-return valve K in thering H, or in the piston, or by means of a movable rseatY acting as a valve provided 'around'thenliner D1 (Figs.Y 12, 11, andil);v Y

The provision'of'ithese parts, whilej'well adapted to guns'of large caliber, mayxprescnt'di'fficultiesv when applied to guns of small caliber, forin the'latter'instanceithe piston andthe ad'ditionalvalve must necessarily bemade of small dlmensionsgftoo small'ito accommodate the nonreturn'iv'alve K in. the' form previously describedlV T o end of the axle by means; of a tenon J1 of avoid this difficulty, a'modified non-return valve, having the lsa'm'efunction as thepre-V ious one, is provided to meet the requirements of the reduced dimensions of the piston and the additional valve. V"Such a modified non-return valveV is shown iirrFig. 33,` which alsoshowsV a modification .of Ythe 1 constructional form ofjthe device illustrated in Figs. 17-19.

Referring to Fig. 33, a sleeve O is interposed betweenVV the'` piston E and the brake cylinder with va rather tight fit therebetween to prevent leakage ofthe Huidpast the-piston. This sleeve is slightly Vlonger than the g piston and at its ends has inwardly turned flanges O and Ozyto engage the en'ds ofthe piston to limitthe sleeve Vto a slight longitudinal playlon the piston. The

piston is provided with orifices p to provide a passage for the fluid from the chambere to the chamber a'of the brake cylinder during the running out movement of the gun, Theflange O- is sufficiently wide' to close these orifices when pressed againstfthe Y Y Y adj acentends of the piston. Y

-As shown in Fig. 33, the-parts arer'set for minimum recoil. 'In' the' running out movement'ofthe gun, theV sleeve O .isi moved forward 'on' the pistontfo the positionshown in the figure so that the fiange O5 uncovers the orifices j? to permit V:thejpassagetherethrough' ofthe fluidyfromthe Ichamberga1 'the action of the pressure liquid.

shown in Fig. 35a, Y

iigure, to close the flange O on the orifices 'p toV prevent passage therethrough of the A Huid-pressure during recoil. VThis rearward or closingrmovement of nthe; sleeve `is auginented Vby its frietionalvengagement `with V.the brake-cylinder as the latter moves, to

the 'rear'. during recoil. In this way a nonreturn valvey sprovidcd that has all the functions yof thefjnon-return valve- K pre-y viously f-ovlesc'ribe'd,1 and -onef'that is adapted to vthe lesser dimensions of small ffcaliber guns; f'

@sigaar and e5 iiiusaaanothr media.

cation of the constructionaliform illustrated in Figs. 17, 18 andv19, Lwhereinlthe :function of thel valve Kris performedby the'moderator valveG which isy mounted for this :pur-

pose inthe liner D11, the/latter 'being rconstructed infa peculiar manner so as to .allowv it( to -receveaa longitudinal movement from VIn this'form,the liner D1, instea lixed to tliea'Xle'fJ, is `mounted ina hollow squaresection'formedjwith aV groove J2; The said liner D1 can receive a .slight longitudinal displacement along the counter-rod B. A lodgment is provided at Athe forward end ofthe linerffor Va Ihollow valve C pierced with orifices 0. Theend ofthe liner is likequently the liquid willi-be` able to lowfrom a1 to a throughthe uncovered oripficesas 'fAtrthe very. beginning.;V rofthe `recoil the pressure of theflicluid actingnponthe .forfwardgend ofthe liner D?, will push the latter in the rearward direction so as to returnitfinto the positiongshown -inFig- B4. "Besidesthe valve Cpopens and thus allows the liquid ito-iill the interior ofthe liner.

Y 1L-1n a recoil brakefor guns, the `conibi*A nation of ar'b'r'ake Vcylinder movable Awith a recoiling part of the gunand provided with aA counter rod, abrakezpiston having f a tubular .piston rod yfor receiving the-counter Arod to'throttle thefflow of iiuidrfthrough the tubu-` lar "piston -frod-, means providing -a normal d of being i of-,the piston to the other Withmeans for,

throttlingsuch normal passage duringrecoil, said piston having an auxiliary passage forming an additional communication between its opposite sidesfor thebraking fiuid,

aloaded valve normally closingsaid auxiliaryvpassage and operative by fluidpres sureto open the auxiliary passage onlygdur-- ing recoil; and means operable outside of the brake cylinder for rendering said valvejmore or lesszoperative -in throttling the auxiliary passage independently of the normalthrottling means to determinethe'length of recoil.

2. In a recoil brake lforgunjs, the combination of a brake cylinder movablevvith a recoiling part of the gun and provided With a counter rod, a brake piston having a tubular piston rod for receiving the counter rod to throttle the flow of liquid through the tubular piston rod, means providing al normal passage for the braking fluid from one side of the piston to the other with means for throttling such normal passage during recoil, said piston having an Yauxiliary passage orming an additional communication l between its Vopposite sides for the braking fluid, a loaded valve normally closing the auxiliary passage and operative by fluidpressure to open the auxiliary passage only during recoil, a liner rotatable Within the tubular piston by means operable outside of the cylinder, and means operated by the turning of the liner for rendering the valve more or less operative in throttling the auxiliary passage independently of the normal throttling means to determine theY length of recoil.

3. In a recoil brake for guns, the combination of' a brake cylinder movable with a recoiling part of the gun and provided with a valved counter rod` concentric cylinder members in said brake cylinder one of Which is fast to a stationary part of the gun mountv and the other adapted to receive said counter rod and to rotate in respect to its companion member, a valve seat carried by one of said members, a piston on the other mem# ber having a spring pressed valve ring adapted to be moved off said seat by rotat-V ing said last named member and other means for throttling the flow of fluid fromone Y side of said piston to the other. y

4. In a recoil brake for guns, the vcombination of a brake cylinder movable with a recoiling part of the gun, and provided with a valved counter rod, concentric cylinderV members in said brake cylinder one of which is fast to a stationary part of' the gun mount and the other of which is adapted to receive said counter rod and to rotate in respect tol its companion member, a valve seat mounted on one member and a spring pressed valve member on the companion member, a non-revoluble nut having threaded engagement 'with said revoluble cylinder 5. lIn 'a recoilbra-ke for guns, the, combi,-` nation of Yabrake cylinder movable Withya recoiling part offthe gun and provided with a Yvalved counter rod,v concentric cylinder vmember for moving said valve to varyy the members located'y in saidbrake cylinder one 'i of which -is fastV toa fixed part of the" gun mount-:and the otheroff v'vhichl is adaptedto rotate 'relatively to its companion member? and isprovided with a diaphragm through which said .counter rod-throttlesthe brake fluid .passing from yone side of the piston to the. other, a valve; seat mounted onthe outer cylinder member and a spring pressed valve adapted to coperate With said seat, and meansl operated by rotating said inner cylinder for varying spring pressure on said valve comprising a nut abutment for said spring having threaded engagement With soi y said revoluble cylinder and adapted to beA Y guided by a part of the piston.

6. In aV recoil brake for guns, the combit nation of a brake' cylinder movable with a recoiling part of thegun and provided with ay valved counter rod, a brake piston in said cylinder, concentric cylinder members lo-r` cated in said brake cylinder-.one of which kis'fast to a fixed part of the gun mount and the other of which is adapted to. rotate rel-f atively to its companion vmember and is provided With a diaphragm through which said counter rod throttles the brake fluid passing from one side of the piston to the other, a spring pressed valve seat mounted on the stationary cylinder member and a' spring pressed piston ring fitting the brake cylinder and having a valve portion for copen ating With said seat and means operated byV the said inner cylinder member for varying the pressure on said valve comprising Va nut abutment for said spring having threaded engagement with said inner cylinder and adapted to be guided by said piston ring.

' 7. In a recoil brake for guns. the'combination of a brake cylinder and vpiston respectively connected Withvthe fixed and recoiling parts of a gun, means providing a normally throttled passage for. the braking during recoil. and means operable outside j of the cylinder for rendering the loaded valve more or less operative in throttling the auxiliary passage independently of the normal 'throttling means to determine the length of recoil.

8. In a recoil brake for guns, the combii nation of a brake cylinder movable With a 115 fluid from one side of the piston to the other. 

